Key facts
- Tesla formally launched its all-electric Semi trucks on Thursday at an event in Reno, Nevada.
- The Semi truck, first unveiled in 2017, is designed for long-haul freight with a range of up to 500 miles on a single charge.
- Tesla plans to build up to 50,000 Semi trucks annually at its new factory adjacent to its existing Gigafactory in Reno.
- The company expects the most capable version of the truck to cost just under $300,000 before incentives.
- Tesla's CEO Elon Musk was absent from the launch event, attending a state dinner with Chinese Premier Xi Jinping.
- The Semi program was delayed for multiple reasons, including the pandemic, parts shortages, and changes based on customer feedback.
Tesla formally launched its long-awaited all-electric Semi trucks on Thursday night at an event in Reno, Nevada, marking a significant step in electrifying the heavy-duty trucking sector after nearly a decade of development and delays. The company plans to produce up to 50,000 trucks annually at its new factory adjacent to its existing Gigafactory in Reno, aiming to create 3,000 local jobs.
The most capable version of the Semi is expected to travel 500 miles or more on a single charge when fully loaded, with a price tag just shy of $300,000 before incentives. Shorter-range variants will also be available. Executives highlighted the truck's potential to lower total cost of ownership for fleet owners, reduce emissions, and improve reliability.
Despite a shift in Tesla's overall mission under CEO Elon Musk, who was absent from the event, the launch emphasized the environmental benefits of electrifying heavy trucks, which account for 16% of emissions despite being only 1% of vehicles on the road. Dan Priestly, head of the Semi program, noted the company's commitment to its original mission of accelerating the transition to sustainable energy.
The Semi's production was originally slated for 2019 but faced multiple delays due to factors including the pandemic, global parts and semiconductor shortages, and design refinements based on pilot customer feedback. Engineers detailed changes such as reducing the vehicle's weight by approximately 1,000 pounds and simplifying the drive axle's lubrication system from three oils to one. The company also addressed earlier criticisms by redesigning the side windows from pop-out to standard roll-down, acknowledging the need for easier interaction with infrastructure like toll booths and call boxes.
Executives also playfully addressed skepticism about the 500-mile range claim, first made in 2017, with Lars Moravy, who leads engineering, stating Tesla thrives on challenges. Musk, in a pre-taped segment, described the Semi as the "funnest truck to drive" and promised that partial automation features would be added in the near future, emphasizing its economic advantages due to lower electricity costs per mile compared to diesel.